Rivian Kills Free RAN Charging Referral Rewards

[MountainBikeDude]

It's very interesting how hypocritical their own narrative appears (at least as of now).

"Will the rewards program grow over time?"
<Paragraph saying yes>

... Reality: all indications to the contrary:
- Dropped from 750 to 500 points per referral
- Now dropping the free DCFC benefit
- Meanwhile: Gear shop items that may qualify have increased in cost over time.
- Meanwhile: There are high demand gear shop items that do not qualify at all.

With the loss or at least pause of several government initiatives to help EV adoption and infrastructure, this move is hardly surprising.

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[DCFC]

Not surprising given all the recent headwinds. Last quarter, Rivian had a net income of -$744 million, so they are negative about $8.2 million a day.

Now the new administration comes in with an anti-ev stance and tried to kill NEVI funding which Rivian has been awarded for a number of their new RAN sites. On top of that, all the tariffs which just increased their BOM costs significantly. All that effort they put into reducing manufacturing costs and a chunk just got negated. I'd guess ballpark 15% a vehicle increase.

They have to survive until R2.

 

[vigorousRival]

Totally not surprised by this, and based on my experience so far it doesn’t matter. Despite having free RAN charging via referral until May, I’ve never been able to use it as every time I’ve tried here in northern CA, they are all full. Meanwhile there will be a half empty EA or Tesla station down the road. Which also will have lower prices whenever my reward expires anyway. Pretty disappointed with RAN charging overall.

 

[Golfer04]

Yea, but Trump bought a Tesla this morning and Hannity already bought his S Plaid. Could be big day for EVs. Plus, evidently, it's illegal to not buy one. ????

 

[DCFC]

Thank you
I missed this info
Apologies

This site is great for tracking all RAN sites and which are open to other EVs.

https://rivianroamer.com/charging/networks/rivian-adventure-network

 

[amcg3]

Initially they had 750 points with no limits on referral points plus 6 months of free Rivian adventure network charging with a 3 year limit, which sucks. I thought if there was no limit with the points there shouldn’t be any limit to the RAN charging. Then in 2025 they reduced it from 750 points to 500 points and eventually got rid of the the free RAN charging which sucks. I used the RAN last week for a trip to Vegas from OC and it was wonderful. Before we used EA with our Mach e and RAN is better. Hope Rivian owners can get a better rate than non Rivian’s charging on the RAN. It was nice when it was 0.36 cents/kwh but now it varies from 0.60-0.68 cents which is a lot.
I will still continue using RAN if it’s on my route.

 

[TCapri]

You should...use Google:
https://rivian.com/newsroom/article/rivian-adventure-network-opens-its-first-chargers-for-all-evs

Hopefully moving forward, they are going to be able to open the RAN to others with their new chargers (according to your article)

"We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations"

 

[TCapri]

Initially they had 750 points with no limits on referral points plus 6 months of free Rivian adventure network charging with a 3 year limit, which sucks. I thought if there was no limit with the points there shouldn’t be any limit to the RAN charging. Then in 2025 they reduced it from 750 points to 500 points and eventually got rid of the the free RAN charging which sucks. I used the RAN last week for a trip to Vegas from OC and it was wonderful. Before we used EA with our Mach e and RAN is better. Hope Rivian owners can get a better rate than non Rivian’s charging on the RAN. It was nice when it was 0.36 cents/kwh but now it varies from 0.60-0.68 cents which is a lot.
I will still continue using RAN if it’s on my route.

Yes, 0.60-0.68 cents translates into around 0.30 cents per mile which I agree, is a lot. Makes road trips in an EV not as attractive. Yes, I agree that hopefully the RAN can incentivize those who have bought Rivians and 0.36 would be great.

 

[hammick]

Nothing like having a referral “pending” — and looking forward to a summer of free RAN charging (with a lot of West Coast travel already planned) — only to have it yanked away at the last minute. It somehow makes it worse than if it were never there at all. Such a crappy feeling, and I never feel crappy about my Rivian experience. It’s like I just found out my girlfriend cheated on me. WTF?? A huge, unexpected bummer.

Referrals that were pending before 3-11-25 should still get the 6 months of free RAN charging. I have two pending and will be pissed if the charging isn't added. I'm sure the purchasers who use my referral will be pissed as well.

 

[CosmicRivian]

Referrals that were pending before 3-11-25 should still get the 6 months of free RAN charging. I have two pending and will be pissed if the charging isn't added. I'm sure the purchasers who use my referral will be pissed as well.

I hope you're right. This screenshot has been my referral reality for at least 3 weeks and I would love more charging for the summer (like I thought I was getting).

Some folks above made some great points about the dire financial realities facing Rivian, and I get the need to tighten belts and stay afloat by whatever means necessary, but losing many of the referral benefits just leaves a really bad taste. I appreciate this forum community and the collective thinking and support that goes on here. Rivian has helped create a great owner culture and I'm happy to be in it with all of you, despite feeling like the goal posts keep moving when it comes to referrals and encouraging brand affinity.

 

[hammick]

Everyday the nightmare gets more intense. What's next? Elmo breaches his charging contract with Rivian. The day we have to pay .60 per kw to DCFC is the day we cease to be a two EV household. I'll buy a diesel truck. We road trip that much.

 

[amcg3]

I believe that your pending referrals would still give you the free RAN.

 

[leeormorris]

I believe that your pending referrals would still give you the free RAN.

Has anyone confirmed this with Rivian ?

 

[hammick]

Has anyone confirmed this with Rivian ?

I have a pending referral that will likely be confirmed this Friday so I'll update when it lands.

 

[nwafvsneaf]

I also have a pending referral and just contacted Rivian and asked if I would still qualify. It's a self referral and the 1 year of free charging was a big factor for staying with Rivian. Will post here when I get a response tomorrow (hopefully).

What really sucks is that I've been talking to multiple people from Rivian during my buyback process for the last couple weeks and I asked multiple times about making sure I get the 1 year of free charging. I was told over and over again that I would get the referral reward. Either they knew about the change in rewards and led me on or they also did not know about the change until it happened. Either way I'm really hoping they can do the right thing for people with pending referrals.

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